WHEN MY BROTHER-IN-LAW showed off the flatbed trailer he and his family recently built and then suggested we all pile on for a ride down the field driveway, I hesitated. Tom sometimes can be a bit of a daredevil with his toys.
So I passed on the maiden voyage that carried 11 family members along the grassy pathway between soybean fields, up the hill, around and back to the farm site.
Then my 78-year-old mom decided she would ride, up front on the all-terrain vehicle, sandwiched between the driver and my oldest brother, who once gave me a ride on his snowmobile and then left me stranded in a gravel pit.
I figured with Mom on board, the boys would behave, drive responsibly and get us all back safely. So I slung my camera around my neck, pulled myself onto the wagon and sat next to my oldest daughter, legs dangling over the edge.
Off we went, bouncing along the field road under a beautiful blue sky scuttled with white clouds. Honestly, September days in Minnesota don’t get much better than this—sunshine and soybean fields, country air and spacious skies, princess waves and smiles as wide as the horizon, dog hugs and happy kids, laughter and the love of family, my family.
My niece practiced her princess wave as we rode between the soybean fields.
I sat next to my oldest daughter. We were all smiling and laughing.
Two of my siblings sit side by side on the edge of the trailer.
One happy boy (my nephew) and one happy dog.
My Mom sits safely between my brother-in-law and my oldest brother in the all-terrain vehicle.
Feet hung or dangled over the sides of the flatbed trailer as toes nearly touched soybean leaves.
© Copyright 2010 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
The pictures turned out good!
Thanks, Amber. Given the ride was a bit bumpy and I didn’t set my shutter speed at the higher speed that I should have, they did turn out pretty good. I played with the last image a bit, changing the contrast and brightness. Yes, I’m experimenting with photo editing here and there and it’s kind of fun. But I still try to take good photos initially so I don’t need to edit them.
It sure is nice to play and laugh with family!! We had a lot of fun celebrating Whitney’s 12th birthday and Labor Day. Seems the older we get the harder it is to get together, so we have to make sure that we do.
Maybe there will be a fall haywagon ride.
Absolutely, I agree, Lanae. We must, must, must always make time for family, no matter our hectic lives.
And, absolutely, I agree that we should have a fall hay wagon ride complete with bonfire afterward. I envision apple cider, hot chocolate, apple crisp and other fall-themed foods on the menu and perhaps an Oktoberfest beer or two.
Loved the photos of everyone on the wagon ride. What a fun way to be in one place. Family! The best thing in the world!!!!
Keep up the love and friendship between family members.
You know, if you moved back to Minnesota (at least in the summer), you could join us on the wagon ride and for other family gatherings. Hint, hint!
That sounds like a perfect way to enjoy a little time with family.
It was wonderful and just plain, good fun!